As of December 2020, who is the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir?

Correct option is A

​The correct answer is (a) Manoj Sinha.

Explanation:

• As of December 2020, Manoj Sinha served as the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. He was appointed to the position on 6th August 2020, succeeding Girish Chandra Murmu.
• Before his appointment, Sinha was a prominent political leader and had served as the Minister of State for Railways and Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Communications.

Information Booster:

• Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Jammu and Kashmir:
• After the abrogation of Article 370 on 5th August 2019, Jammu and Kashmir was reorganized into a Union Territory (UT) with a Lieutenant Governor instead of a Chief Minister-led government.
• The LG is appointed by the President of India and acts as the representative of the central government in the UT.
• The role involves executive, legislative, and administrative functions to ensure the smooth governance of the region.
• Recently, the First election after the abrogation of Article 370 was held in Jammu and Kashmir from 18 September 2024 to 1 October 2024.
• National Conference emerged victorious in the election and Its leader Omar Abdullah became the Chief Minister of Jammu Kashmir.

Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019: The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 introduced major structural changes to integrate the region more closely with the Indian Union. 

• Bifurcation into Union Territories: The Act divided the former state into two separate Union Territories—Jammu and Kashmir (with a legislature) and Ladakh (without a legislature).
• Legislative Assembly:
• Jammu and Kashmir was granted a legislative assembly.
• Ladakh is directly governed by a Lieutenant Governor (LG) without a legislative body.
• Lok Sabha Representation:
• Jammu and Kashmir retains five Lok Sabha seats.
• Ladakh has one seat.
• High Court Jurisdiction: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir continues to serve both newly formed Union Territories.
• Governance under Article 239A:
• Jammu and Kashmir follows the governance model under Article 239A, similar to Puducherry.
• It has a Lieutenant Governor appointed by the President of India..
  
• Legislative Powers:
• The Jammu and Kashmir assembly can legislate on state matters, except for subjects like public order and policing, which remain under Union control.
• Abolition of Legislative Council & Law Reforms:
• The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council was dissolved.
• 106 central laws were extended to Jammu and Kashmir.
• 153 state laws were repealed.
• 7 state laws were amended to align with the new administrative setup.

Additional Knowledge:

• Satya Pal Malik: Served as the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir from August 2018 to October 2019 (before it became a Union Territory).
• Arif Mohammad Khan: The current Governor of Kerala (2019-2025). Currently, He is the governor of Bihar, assumed office on 2 January 2025.